Device for applying weight members to lines



July 22, 1958 M. E. LEE 2,844,059

DEVICE FOR APPLYING WEIGHT MEMBERS T0 LINES Filed June 28, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E 1/1 ill/1111))? 42 I I I V EN TOR.

IN MATTHEW f. 155

arrmwfr July 22, 1958 M. E. LEE

DEVICE FOR APPLYING WEIGHT MEMBERS TO LINES 3 'Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 28, 1956 IIIII/IIII/II III, [III/III,

' INVENTOR. MA 77715 6 55 United States Patent DEVICE FOR APPLYING WEIGHT MEMBERS TO LINES Matthew E. Lee, South Bend, Ind.

Application June 28, 1956, Serial No. 594,453

9 Claims. (Cl. 81-15) This invention relates to a device for applying a weight member to a line, and more particularly to a device for applying lead weights to fishing lines.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device of this character bymeans of which weight members formed of soft metal may be split and then clampe upon a line or a leader at selected location.

A further object is to provide a device of this character'adapted to contain a plurality of weight members and having means located at a convenient position for splitting a weight member fed to that position and also provided with means for clamping a weight upon a fishing line. I

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a chamber containing a plurality of weight members, cutting means for splitting the weight members as they are successively fed thereto, line-positioning means juxtaposed to said cutting means, means for transferring said split weight to said line-positioning means, and means for crimping said weight members about said line.

A further object is to provide a device of this char acter having a chamber containing a quantity of weight members, means for feeding weights successively from said chamber to a work station, means for guiding a line to a position entering a split of a weight member at said station, and means at said station for clamping said weight member to line-gripping position.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing: I Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1; I Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the weight members are clamped upon aline;

Fig. 4 is an axial sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 5, and illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of another modified embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an axial sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an end view as seen from the left in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the device shown in Fig. l with the blade I 2,844,059 Patented July 22,1958

the major portion of its length and communicating with a passage 16 formed in the handle. A cross-passage 18 is formed in the body 10 spaced from the end thereof and intersects and communicates with the longitudinal passage 14. The passage 14 is of a size and diameter to receive therein weight members 20 which are preferably lead shot or spherical members of soft material commonly applied to a fishing line to weight the same. The weight members 20 fit freely within the passage 14, and a coil spring 22 within the passage 14 bears against the endmost weight member to urge the same in the direction of the passage 18. A screw or other backing or abutment member- 24 is screw-threaded or otherwise secured within the end of the passage within the handle, as at passage portion 16, to provide an abutment for the spring 22. The coil spring will be of sufficient length to normally extend from the abutment 24 to the crosspassage 18 when fully expanded. A member 26 is screw-threaded or otherwise adjustably mounted in the cross-bore'18 of the body. The cross-bore 18 is of a size to permit passage of the weight members 20 freely therethrough and opens at a longitudinal surface of the body member 10. The member 26 preferably has an enlarged knurled head 28 to accommodate easy manual manipulation thereof, and also preferably has a central longitudinal passage or bore therethrough within which a pin 30 is freely slidable. The free end 32 of the shank of the member 26 is preferably concave, as of partspherical contour, to provide a large area of abutment with a weight member 20.

A lever 34; is pivoted to the body 10 at 36 spaced a short distance from the cross-bore 18. A spring 38 normally urges the lever to the full line position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, said spring preferably being a coil spring and having one end thereof seated in an oblique socket 40 within the body 10 and the opposite end thereof seated in an oblique socket 42 in the lever 34. The spring is so arranged that is adapted to yield to accommodate swinging of the lever to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. The lever is preferably of substantially L-shape and has a foot portion thereof extending along the bodyand interrupted by socket or recess 44 which confronts the cross-bore 18 and is adapted to receive a weight member 20. The lever member is preferably spaced from the body member a slight distance, as illustrated, and the weight member bearing upon the recess 44 in the position of the body as illustrated in Fig. 2 spans that distance and projects partly into cross-bore 18.

A second lever member 46tis pivoted at 48 to the body 10 preferably adjacent to but spaced from the cross-bore 18 of the body 10 and at the side thereof opposite the location ofpivot 36 of lever 34. The handle 12 is preferably provided with a recess into which the free end of the lever 46 projects, as illustrated in Fig. 2. An elongated leaf spring 52 is fixed at 54 tothe free end of the lever 46 and preferably is curved to arched form as illustrated. The pivot 48 preferably includes a pair of ears 56 between which the pivot pin 48 extends and the leaf spring 52 preferably extends slidably between those cars, being guided thereby and also by the body 10 and the pin 48 between which said leaf spring projects. The leaf spring 42 is of such length that, in its normal position, it extends into the space between the body 10 and the'lever 34 adjacent to but short of a weight member seated at the recess 44, as seen in Fig. 2.

Upon pivoting of the lever 46 in a direction toward the body, the leaf spring 52 is caused to move endwise guided by the pivot parts 48, 56 in sliding engagement with the bottom surface of the body 10 to extend in a direction substantially radially of the weight member located as illustrated in Fig. .10, for the purpose of grooving or partly splitting that yveightmember,

It will be understood that splitting of a weight'member expands it and pivots levers 34 so that sufiicient clearance is provided between body 10 and lever 34 at 35, as seen in Fig. 10, to accommodate the introduction of a line 58 therebetween to enter the split of weight 20 after the weight has been split or grooved by the member 52 and said member 52 has returned to its normal spring-urged position as seen in Fig. 2. T hereupon, the lever 54 can be swung in a counter-clockwise direction, as illustrated in Fig. 2, for the purpose of clamping or crimping the split weight member with reference to the line, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Thus the line may have one or more weight members 20 applied thereto and crimped and clamped thereon in a fixed location.

Weight members 20 are preferably loaded in the device by removing the abutment member 24 and the spring 22 and thereupon inserting said weight members from the end, as illustrated at the right in Fig. 2. It will be understood that the member 26 will be positioned in the opening 18 athwart the passage 14 to close the lefthand end of said passage incident to the filling operation. Thereupon, the spring 22 and the abutment 24 can be returned to operative position. When it is desired to load the device, the member 26 is retracted sufliciently to permit a weight member to enter the cross-passage 18 and thereupon the member 26 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 2, bearing upon the released weight member which in turn is seated in the recess 44 of the lever 34. The weight member is then split by the member 52 operated by pivoting the lever 46 as above explained. A line is introduced into the kerf or split of member 20, the lever 34 is swung counter-clockwise to crimp the weight upon the line, and then the lever is swung clockwise to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 for the purpose of releasing the member 20 and the line from the device.

In the event the crimping operation has caused the shot or weight member 20 to be wedged Within the recess 18, the pin 30 may be pressed to eject or release the weight member from the cross-passage 18 and to accommodate release of the weight and line from the device. It will be observed that the member 26 forms a barrier to prevent release of the weight members during the time that the device is being carried about between uses. Member 26 need be retracted only at such time as it is desired to feed a weight member to operative position for splitting thereof and crimping upon a line. While the member 26 has been illustrated herein as being screw-threaded, it will be understood that screwthreading thereof is not essential and that such means must prevent endwise or yielding movement of the member 26 incident to the crimping of the split Weight upon the line between the end of the member 26 and the lever 34.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. In this form of the invention an elongated body member 60 has a longitudinal passage 62 communicating with a transverse passage 64. The transverse passage 64 opens at a V-groove 66 extending endwise of the body 60 at one end thereof in laterally spaced or offset relation to passage 62. The V-groove 66 extends centrally of a shot passage 68 extending lengthwise or endwise of the body. Weight members 70 are stored in the passage 62, being pressed endwise therein toward the passage 64 by a coil spring 72 engaged by an abutment member 74, such as a screw having an enlarged knurled head.

A plunger 76 is slidable freely endwise in the crosspassage 64 and is connected to an actuator. As shown, plunger 76 'is pivoted at 78 to an intermediate portion of a lever 80. One end of lever 80 is received within a longitudinal slot formed between laterally projecting portions or ears 82 of the body. A cross-pin 84 is carried by said ears and passes through alongitudinally elongated slot or passage 86 in the end of the lever 80. Spring means normally urge the lever 80 toward the full line position illustrated in Fig. 4 and, as here shown, said means is a coil spring 88 mounted in a passage spaced from and substantially parallel to the passage 64, said coil spring being anchored at one end to the lever 80 and being anchored at its other end to a fixed member carried by the body 60.

A longitudinal slot 90 is formed in the body in communication with and in substantially the same plane as the groove 66 and is adapted to receive a knife member having a blade portion 92 and a handle 94. A transversely projecting head 96 is formed on the end of the blade and has an elongated slot 98 extending transversely of the blade 92. A cross-pin 100 fits in the cross-groove or passage 98 and also is slidable in grooves 102 formed in the body and opening at the side walls of the slot 90, as shown. The arrangement of the parts is such that the knife 92, 94 may seat within the slot 90, as illustrated in Fig. 5 in the retracted position of the parts, and may be swung and shifted to a position as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, as accommodated by sliding movement of the pin 100 relative to the body 60 and the sliding of the blade relative to the pin 100 as accommodated by the blade slot 98.

In the use of this form of the device the shot members 70 are loaded within the cartridge chamber 62 while the plunger 76 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, whereby the coil spring 72 which presses against the abutment member 74 also serves to urge the endrnost weight member 70 against the plunger 76. When it is desired to use one of the weight members, the lever 80 is swung to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 4 to accommodate passage of the endmost weight member from the passage 62 into the passage 64. Thereupon. the lever 80 is returned to the full line position of Fig. 4, propelling the ejected weight member through the passage 64 to the junction of the passage 68. Thereupon the blade 92, 94 is swung from the full line position shown in Fig. 5 to the dotted line position at which it passes through the slot 66 and serves to slit or groove the shot located at the junction of the passages 64 and 68. Thereupon the knife portion is returned to the full line position shown in Fig. 5 and a line is passed through the slot 66 to'enter the split or groove of the shot member. Pressure is then applied to the lever 80 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, to crimp or squeeze the split shot to close the split thereof and clamp the weight member upon the line. The line with the attached shot or weight member is then withdrawn through the groove 66 and the passage 68.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. In this construction an elongated body member has a longitudinal passage 112 formed therein eccentrically thereof to receive weight members 114 pressed upon by the coil spring 116 whose position is determined by a removable abutment member or screw 118 at the outer end of the passage. The body 110 has a bore 120 formed in one end thereof in which passage 112 opens. Rotatable member 122 fits in bore 120 and preferably has an enlarged knurled end portion 124 projecting from the body 110. A screw or like securing member 126 extends axially through the rotatable member 122 and is anchored at its inner end in the body 110 as by means of screw threads as shown, and serves as a journal for member 122'.

The body member 110 is provided with a slot 128 formed therein as shown in Fig. 7 extending generally transversely and inwardly and thence longitudinally at 130, so that its end portions are spaced forward of its center portion, as best seen in Fig. 7. The rotatable member 122 has a socket or recess 132 formed at its innermost end and of a size to receive a weight member 114 therein when the same is delivered from the passage 112 into said recess while the recess is registered with said passage 112.

The ,body member is laterally reduced or shouldered at 134 spaced from the recessed end of member'122 and has a longitudinal passage 136for'rned therein between said reduced portion and bore 120; The shouldered part 134 is slotted at 138 defining the innermost endof a longitudinal groove 140 formed in the reduced part of the body. A lever 142 is pivoted in the groove 140 as by means of a pin 144 spanning the slot 138 and inset relative to the longitudinal passage 136. A pin 146' projects laterally outwardly from the lever 142 adjacent pivot 144. The passage 136 is preferably in the nature of a groove having laterally enlarged ways at the base thereof in which are slidably guided the side marginal portions of a cutting blade 148. The blade 148 has an aperture in the outermost end thereof receiving the pin 146.

The arrangement of the parts is such that, upon swinging of the lever 142 from the full line position shown in Fig. 8 to the dotted line position, the blade 148 will be advanced endwise in passage 136. The length of the. blade 148 is such that in its retracted position it is located adjacent to a weight member seated in the recess 132 when in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 8 and registering with blade 148. Therefore, when the member 142 is pivoted, the blade 148 is shifted endwise and, assuming that a weight member is seated in the recess 132 and is aligned with the member 148, said weight member will be split or grooved by the movement of the blade.

A second lever member 150 is mounted in the groove or passage 136 outwardly of the blade 148. Groove 136 extends completely through the thin wall section of the body defining the bore 120. A crosspin 152 pivots the lever 150-in this passage. Note that the lever 150 in its closed position overlies a part of the blade 148 and also overlies the recess 132 and a shot or weight member seated in said recess.

In the use of this form of the invention, shot 114 is inserted in the slot 112 and are pressed toward the end of the rotatable member 122 by the spring 116. The recess 132 in the rotatable member 122 permits the feeding of one weight member from the' passage 112 into said recess when in register with the passage 12. Rotation of the member 122 then carries the shot or weight in the recess 132 into register and alignment with the passage 136 and the blade 148, where it is held by the overlapping relation thereto of the lever 150. Thereupon the lever 142 is swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8 to advance the blade and cause it to split or groove the weight in the recess. The lever 150 is then swung to the dotted line position of Fig. 8, to accommodate insertion of a line 154 through the groove 128, 130 for entry into the groove or kerf cut in the weight member. Thereupon the lever member 150 is returned to the full line position and is pressed for the purpose of squeezing or crimping the weight member to fasten it fixedly upon the line 154. After this operation the lever 150 can be again swung out, whereupon the line is released through the slot 128, 130 with incident lifting of the weight along therewith.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in each embodiment of the invention means are provided for storing a quantity of weight members, for advancing the same one by one to a station at which they are positioned in selected location, for splitting or severing the same to form a kerf or cut therein, for accommodating entry of a line into the kerf or cut of the weight member, and then for crimping or compressing the split weight member to anchor it fixedly upon the line. In each form the device is small in size, light in weight, compact, and can be employed easily and quickly without requiring special skill and without requiring special tools. The device is particularly well suited for use by fishermen who frequently desire to apply a numberof weights to a line as they are fishing, and who arerequired to perform the service of applying the weights in awkward and inconvenient locations, for example, while standing in a trout stream or while sitting in a boat. In each form the device eliminates the need for individual manual handling of the small weight or shot members, holds the weight or shot. members under controlled conditions at all times, and avoids the handling of individual or sepa rate tools for different or successive operations.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1

I claim:

1. A device for applying a weight member to a line, comprising a body having a cavity for storing weight members, and a weight positioning station, manually operable means for transferring weight members successively to said station, each weight member in said station having a groove therein, means for guiding a line to a position within the groove of a weight at said station, and means for applying pressure to said weight at said station while said line is seated in said groove to clamp said weight member on said line, said pressure applying means including a member pivoted on said body and swingable in a direction perpendicular to said groove.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure applying means is spring urged toward said station and serves normally to confine a weight member at said station.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein a passage in said body connects said cavity and station, and said transfer means is normally positioned in said passage to prevent release of weight members from said cavity.

4. A device for applying a weight member to a line, comprising a body having a cavity for storing weight members, and a member-receiving working station communicating with said cavity, means shiftable relative to said body for feeding weight members successively from said cavity to said station, means for grooving a weight member in said station, means for guiding a line into a grooved member in said station, and means for pressing said grooved member at said station to clamp the same on a line in said groove. I

5. In combination, a body having a chamber for storing weight members and a member-positioning recess, means shiftable relative to said body for advancing mem bers successively from said chamber to said recess, means retaining a member in said recess, and a knife shiftably carried by said body for splitting a member retained in said recess.

6. In combination, a body having a chamber for storing weight members and a member-positioning recess communicating with said chamber, a transfer member shiftably carried by said body for successively feeding said members to and positioning said members in said recess, line-receiving means communicating with said recess, said members being split to receive said line when in said recess, and a squeeze member carried by said body for crimping said weight on said line in said recess, said recess and line-receiving means accommodating removal from said body of said line with a weight attached thereto.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said body includes a pair of relatively rotatable parts, one part having said chamber therein spaced from the axis of rotation of said parts, the other part having a recess adapted in one position thereof to receive a member from said chamber, said first part having an opening receiving said squeezing member and adapted to communicate with said recess in a second position of said other part.

8. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said body has a passage providing communication between said chamber and said re'cess and said transfer member is shiftable endwise in said passage to advance a member from said chamber to said recess and is normally positioned to close said passage from communication with said chamber.

9. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said grooving means comprises a blade shiftable in a plane intersecting said recess, and means on said body for guiding said blade. 7

O U References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,651,958 Deline Sept. 15, 1953 2,723,403 Miller Nov. 15, 1955 2,765,686 Deline Oct. 9, 1956 2,765,687 Stanfield Oct. 9, 1956 

